Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 2, Number 24, DeMotte, Jasper County, 5 January 1933 — IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY School Lesson [ARTICLE]

I MPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY School Lesson

By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.

Mem-

ber of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.) ®, 1933, Western Newspaper Union.

Lesson for January 8 JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK Mark 1:12-20. GOLDEN TEXT—The time Is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God Is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15. PRIMARY TOPlC—Jesus’ First Helpers. JUNIOR TOPlC—Jesus Winning a Victory. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPlC—Making a Good Beginning. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPlC—Jesus Facing His Task. I. The Divine Servant Meeting and Overcoming the Devil (vv. 12, 13). The temptation in the wilderness was Messianic. It was not a, preparation of Jesus for his work but the first conflict. Since he had come to destroy the devil (Heb. 2:14), he at once engaged in that struggle which was to issue in Satan’s defeat. 1. The Spirit driveth him (v. 12). This shows how really Christ was under the control of the Spirit. “Driveth” is the same Greek word which is used in connection with Christ casting out devils (See Mark 1:34, 39). 2. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan (v. 13). Not that he fasted forty days and was then tempted, but that the struggle with the devil lasted forty days. 3. He was with the wild beasts (v. 13). The clear implication is that he not only overcame the devil but had dominion over the wild beasts also. 4. The angels ministered unto him (v. 13). These superhuman messengers doubtless ministered to him all through the forty days. 11. The Divine Servant Preaching (vv. 14, 15). Jesus does not first present himself as a miracle worker, but as a preacher, a bearer of a messagp. Miracles were but the credentials of the messenger. 1. Where he preached—in Galilee (v. 14). Galilee was particularly his own country. His ministry there was some distance removed frbm Jerusalem, and there less opposition would likely be manifest 2. What he preached—the gospel of the Kingdom of God (v. 14). Since “gospel” means “good news,” the essential content of his message was that God had sent him to announce the good news of the near approach of the Kingdom of God, or the rule of God upon the earth. 3. What he demanded —repentance and belief of the gospel (v. 15). He showed that the way to get ready for the coming of the Kingdom is to repent and believe the gospel of Christ’s death for sin, and his coming to administer the affairs of righteousness upon the earth. 111. The Divine Servant Calling Associates (vv. IG-20). r Knowing that his ministry would be short, he called to definite fellowship men to continue the work after he was gone. 1. Who they were (vv. 16,19). Simon and Andrew, James and John —two pairs of brothers. It is usually wise to engage in the Lord’s service in fellowship—in pairs. This is not only necessary for effective testimony, but for protection of the witnesses. These men had become Christ’s disciples, for at the word of John the Baptist they had beheld the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of th£ world” (John 1:36-42). This is always the Lord's way. He calls men and women to be his disciples and then calls them to have fellowship with him in seryice.

2. From what they were called (vv. 16-20). They were called from business and family connections. In looking for men worth while, we should expect to find them busily engaged. James and John left their father and his servants. The call of God involves sacrifice and separation. 3. To what they were called (v. 17). To become fishers of men. These men, no doubt, had been successful as fishers. The qualities which made them good fishermen; namely: patience, bravery which led them to face the storm at night, and perseverence which led him to toil all night though no fish were caught, would make them good fishers of men. Winning souls for Christ requires patience, bravery and perseverence. 4. Obedience, of the disciples (vv. 18-20). Obedience to Christ’s call meant sacrifice, painful separation. It means to give up business interests. They yielded prompt obedience. They put their trust in him who called them, believing that he was able to supply all their needs. 5. Their reward (v. 17). These four men have wielded wondrous influence in the world. Their names have become immortalized. Had they remained at their business they would only have been humble fishermen.